قابل خوردن
قابل خوردن in 30 Sekunden
- Used to describe things safe to eat.
- Essential for foraging and checking food freshness.
- Formed by 'ghābel' (capable) + 'khordan' (eating).
- Different from 'khoshmazeh' (tasty); focuses on safety.
The Persian term قابل خوردن (ghābel-e khordan) is a compound adjective that translates literally to "capable of being eaten." In the Persian language, the word ghābel acts as a prefix-like adjective meaning 'capable,' 'worthy,' or 'able,' derived from the Arabic root for acceptance. When paired with the infinitive khordan (to eat), it creates a specific designation for edibility. This term is fundamental for anyone navigating the culinary landscape of Iran, as it distinguishes between what is biologically safe to consume and what is not. It is not merely about whether something is food, but whether its current state allows for safe consumption. For instance, a wild berry found in the Alborz mountains might be beautiful, but the crucial question is: Āyā in ghābel-e khordan ast? (Is this edible?).
- Semantic Range
- This phrase covers a spectrum from 'non-toxic' in a scientific sense to 'palatable' in a social sense. While its primary function is to denote safety, it can sometimes be used colloquially to describe food that is perhaps not delicious, but 'good enough' to eat.
بسیاری از قارچهای وحشی در جنگل قابل خوردن نیستند و میتوانند سمی باشند.
In technical contexts, such as food science or survival training, ghābel-e khordan is the standard term. It is used on packaging, in botanical guides, and during health inspections. However, it also appears in everyday domestic life. If a dish has been left in the refrigerator for a few days, a family member might ask if it is still ghābel-e khordan, meaning "Has it spoiled?" or "Is it still safe?" This versatility makes it a B1-level essential, as it moves beyond the simple A1 noun ghazā (food) into the realm of describing the quality and state of that food.
- Social Context
- In Iranian hospitality (Ta'arof), you would rarely describe your own cooking as merely 'ghābel-e khordan' because that would be too self-deprecating, implying it's barely edible. Instead, you use it to objectively discuss ingredients or safety.
آیا این گیاه که در باغچه روییده، قابل خوردن است؟
Furthermore, the term is used in metaphorical senses in modern Persian literature and journalism to describe things that are 'consumable' or 'acceptable' in a broader sense, though this is less common than its literal culinary application. Understanding this word helps learners navigate menus that might list 'edible flowers' (gols-haye ghābel-e khordan) or 'edible decorations' on cakes, which are increasingly popular in urban Iranian cafes.
- Formal vs Informal
- In very formal or archaic Persian, you might encounter the word 'ma'kul' (مأکول), but in 99% of modern interactions, 'ghābel-e khordan' is the preferred and most natural choice.
Using قابل خوردن correctly involves understanding the Ezafe construction and the placement of the verb. As an adjective phrase, it typically follows the noun it describes or functions as a predicate after a linking verb like ast (is) or nist (is not). When you want to say 'edible fruit,' you say mive-ye ghābel-e khordan. Here, the 'e' sound at the end of 'mive' (fruit) connects it to the adjective phrase.
این نان قدیمی است اما هنوز قابل خوردن است.
- Negation
- To say something is 'inedible,' you simply add 'gheyr-e' (non-) before the phrase: 'gheyr-e ghābel-e khordan'. Alternatively, you can use the negative verb 'nist' at the end of the sentence.
In a sentence, the structure usually follows: [Subject] + [Adjective] + [Verb]. For example: In gharch-hā ghābel-e khordan hastand (These mushrooms are edible). If you are asking a question, the word order remains the same, but the intonation rises at the end: In mive-hā ghābel-e khordan hastand?. This is a common pattern for B1 learners to master as it applies to many other 'ghābel-e' constructions like 'ghābel-e didan' (visible) or 'ghābel-e fahm' (understandable).
پوست این میوه قابل خوردن نیست، لطفاً آن را بکنید.
When used in a more complex sentence, ghābel-e khordan can act as part of a relative clause. For example: Man be donbāl-e giyāh-hā-yi hastam ke ghābel-e khordan bāshand (I am looking for plants that are edible). Here, the use of the subjunctive 'bāshand' is required because of the uncertainty or search criteria. This is a great way for intermediate students to practice their subjunctive moods while using practical vocabulary.
- Comparisons
- You can use comparative markers with this phrase: 'In ghazā az ghazā-ye diruz ghābel-e khordan-tar ast' (This food is more edible than yesterday's food - though this is often used sarcastically!).
آیا تمام اجزای این کیک قابل خوردن هستند؟
Finally, consider the distinction between 'edible' and 'eaten.' Ghābel-e khordan refers to the possibility or permission, whereas khorde shode refers to the action having been completed. Beginners often confuse these. Make sure to emphasize the 'ghābel' (capability) aspect when teaching this word to ensure they understand it describes a quality of the object, not an action performed on it.
The most common place to hear قابل خوردن is in a kitchen or around a dining table, especially when there is doubt about the freshness of food. In Iranian households, where food waste is culturally discouraged but health is paramount, the question "Is this still edible?" is a daily occurrence. You will hear mothers checking the milk or looking at a piece of fruit and saying, Be nazar miresad hanuz ghābel-e khordan bāshad (It seems it might still be edible).
دکتر گفت که این دارو باید با مواد قابل خوردن مصرف شود.
Another major context is nature and hiking. Iran has a vast landscape with many wild plants. Hikers often use this word when identifying wild berries, walnuts, or herbs like toreh kuhi. If you go on a tour in the Zagros mountains, the guide will point to various shrubs and clarify which ones are ghābel-e khordan. This is not just a matter of interest but of safety, as some plants look very similar to edible ones but are actually toxic.
- Media and Television
- On Iranian cooking shows (which are very popular), chefs will often point out which garnishes are edible and which are just for decoration. They might say: 'In gol-hā faghat barā-ye tazyin nistand, balkeh ghābel-e khordan ham hastand.'
In the scientific and environmental community, this term is used when discussing pollution. For example, a report might state that the fish in a certain river are no longer ghābel-e khordan due to heavy metal contamination. This highlights the word's role in public health and safety discourse. It’s also heard in the context of 'edible oils' (roghan-haye ghābel-e khordan) in industrial settings to distinguish them from industrial lubricants.
آیا روغن این دستگاه قابل خوردن است؟ خیر، سمی است.
Lastly, you might hear it in a humorous or sarcastic context. If someone is a very bad cook, their friends might look at the burnt offering and jokingly ask, Vāghe'an in ghābel-e khordane? (Is this really edible?). This usage mirrors the English "Is this even edible?" and shows the word's flexibility in expressing social commentary through humor.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning قابل خوردن is confusing it with the word khoshmazeh (delicious). While something that is edible is safe to eat, it doesn't mean it tastes good. Students often say 'In ghazā ghābel-e khordan ast' when they mean 'This food is tasty.' This can sound a bit insulting to a host, as you are essentially saying their food is 'merely safe' rather than 'good.'
- The Ezafe Error
- Forgetting the 'e' sound (Ezafe) between 'ghābel' and 'khordan' is a classic mistake. Saying 'ghābel khordan' without the link sounds broken and uneducated. Always ensure the connection is audible: 'ghābel-e khordan'.
❌ Wrong: این قارچ قابل خوردن است. (Missing Ezafe pronunciation)
✅ Correct: این قارچ قابلِ خوردن است.
Another error involves the word order when using 'gheyr-e' (non-). Some learners try to place 'gheyr-e' after 'ghābel', but it must always come before the entire phrase to negate the quality. So, gheyr-e ghābel-e khordan is the only correct way to say 'inedible.' Additionally, beginners sometimes use the word khorāki (foodstuff/edible) interchangeably with ghābel-e khordan. While similar, khorāki is more of a noun (like 'snacks' or 'edibles'), whereas ghābel-e khordan is strictly an adjective describing the state of something.
Finally, there is the issue of formality. Using the Arabic-derived ma'kul in a casual setting is a mistake of register; it makes you sound like a 19th-century textbook. Stick to ghābel-e khordan for almost all situations. Also, be careful with the plural. While 'ghābel-e khordan' doesn't change, the verb at the end of the sentence must match the subject. If you are talking about 'mive-hā' (fruits), the verb should be 'hastand' (are), not 'ast' (is).
❌ Wrong: این سیبها قابل خوردن است.
✅ Correct: این سیبها قابل خوردن هستند.
While قابل خوردن is the most versatile term for 'edible,' several other words exist in the Persian lexicon that carry slightly different nuances. Understanding these can help a B1 learner reach B2 or C1 proficiency by choosing the most precise word for the situation.
- خوراکی (Khorāki)
- This word is often used as a noun meaning 'foodstuff' or 'snack.' As an adjective, it means 'edible' but is usually reserved for things that are intended to be food. For example, 'roghan-e khorāki' (cooking oil) as opposed to 'roghan-e san'ati' (industrial oil).
- مأکول (Ma'kul)
- This is a highly formal, Arabic-derived word. You will find it in legal documents, old literature, or religious texts (e.g., discussing 'halal' or 'haram' items). It is rarely used in daily conversation.
- سالم (Sālem)
- While 'sālem' means 'healthy' or 'sound,' it is often used when checking if food has spoiled. If you ask 'Āyā in shir sālem ast?', you are asking if the milk is still good to drink (edible/not spoiled).
تفاوت بین قابل خوردن و 'خوشمزه' در کیفیت و امنیت است.
When discussing things that are *not* edible, you have options beyond 'gheyr-e ghābel-e khordan.' You might use sammi (poisonous) if the item is dangerous, or fāsed (spoiled/rotten) if it was once edible but is no longer so. Using these specific terms provides more information than the general 'inedible.'
In modern slang or informal settings, if something is technically edible but tastes terrible, people might say nemishod khord (it couldn't be eaten). This emphasizes the experience rather than the biological possibility. Understanding these layers of meaning allows for much more natural communication in Persian.
How Formal Is It?
Wusstest du?
The word 'khordan' in Persian is used for 'drinking' water in many dialects as well, unlike English where 'eat' and 'drink' are strictly separate. Therefore, 'ghābel-e khordan' can technically cover liquids too.
Aussprachehilfe
- Pronouncing 'gh' as a hard English 'g'.
- Omitting the Ezafe 'e' sound between the two words.
- Pronouncing 'kh' as a simple 'k' sound.
- Stress on the first syllable of 'ghābel'.
- Muting the 'n' at the end of 'khordan'.
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Easy to recognize if you know 'ghābel' and 'khordan'.
Requires correct spelling of 'ghābel' (with ghayn) and 'khordan'.
The 'gh' and 'kh' sounds are the main challenges for English speakers.
Very clear and distinct sounds in most dialects.
Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest
Voraussetzungen
Als Nächstes lernen
Fortgeschritten
Wichtige Grammatik
Ezafe Construction
مایعِ قابل خوردن (Edible liquid) - The 'e' links the noun and adjective.
Compound Adjectives with 'Ghābel'
قابل دیدن (Visible), قابل فهم (Understandable).
Negation with 'Gheyr-e'
غیرقابل خوردن (Inedible) - 'Gheyr-e' acts as a prefix.
Subjunctive with Uncertainty
شاید قابل خوردن باشد (Maybe it is edible) - Use 'bāshad' instead of 'ast'.
Plural Agreement
اینها قابل خوردن هستند (These are edible) - Verb matches plural subject.
Beispiele nach Niveau
این سیب قابل خوردن است.
This apple is edible.
Subject (In sib) + Adjective (ghābel-e khordan) + Verb (ast).
آیا این نان قابل خوردن است؟
Is this bread edible?
Question form using 'āyā' and rising intonation.
این اسباببازی قابل خوردن نیست.
This toy is not edible.
Negative form using 'nist'.
آب قابل خوردن کجاست؟
Where is the edible (drinking) water?
Using the adjective to describe 'āb' (water).
این میوه قابل خوردن و شیرین است.
This fruit is edible and sweet.
Connecting two adjectives with 'va' (and).
آن قارچ قابل خوردن نیست.
That mushroom is not edible.
Using 'ān' (that) for a distant subject.
همه چیز در این بشقاب قابل خوردن است.
Everything on this plate is edible.
Subject 'hameh chiz' (everything).
این گلها قابل خوردن هستند.
These flowers are edible.
Plural verb 'hastand' to match 'gol-hā'.
این گوشت قدیمی است اما هنوز قابل خوردن است.
This meat is old but still edible.
Using 'ammā' (but) to connect contrasting ideas.
من فقط گیاهان قابل خوردن را میشناسم.
I only know edible plants.
Using 'faghat' (only) to restrict the noun.
آیا پوست خیار قابل خوردن است؟
Is cucumber skin edible?
Possessive Ezafe: 'pust-e khiyār'.
این ماهیها به خاطر آلودگی قابل خوردن نیستند.
These fish are not edible because of pollution.
Using 'be khāter-e' (because of).
ما باید دنبال آب قابل خوردن بگردیم.
We must look for edible (potable) water.
Using the modal 'bāyad' (must).
او گفت که این قارچها قابل خوردن نیستند.
He said that these mushrooms are not edible.
Reported speech with 'ke' (that).
کدام یک از این میوهها قابل خوردن است؟
Which one of these fruits is edible?
Using 'kodām yek' (which one).
این تزیینات روی کیک قابل خوردن هستند.
These decorations on the cake are edible.
Plural subject and verb agreement.
اگر قارچی را نمیشناسید، فرض کنید قابل خوردن نیست.
If you don't know a mushroom, assume it is not edible.
Conditional sentence with 'agar' (if).
بسیاری از بخشهای این گیاه، از جمله ریشه، قابل خوردن است.
Many parts of this plant, including the root, are edible.
Using 'az jomleh' (including).
این نان آنقدر خشک شده که دیگر قابل خوردن نیست.
This bread has become so dry that it's no longer edible.
Using 'ānghadr... ke' (so... that).
در زمان قحطی، مردم حتی پوست درخت را که قابل خوردن نبود، میخوردند.
During the famine, people even ate tree bark, which was not edible.
Relative clause using 'ke'.
آیا مطمئنی که این روغن برای سرخ کردن قابل خوردن است؟
Are you sure this oil is edible for frying?
Using 'barā-ye' (for) to show purpose.
تزئینات این بشقاب فقط برای زیبایی نیست، بلکه قابل خوردن هم هست.
The decorations on this plate are not just for beauty, but are also edible.
Using 'na faghat... balkeh' (not only... but also).
به نظر میرسد این پنیر هنوز قابل خوردن باشد.
It seems this cheese might still be edible.
Subjunctive 'bāshad' after 'be nazar miresad'.
ما باید یاد بگیریم کدام گیاهان بیابانی قابل خوردن هستند.
We must learn which desert plants are edible.
Compound verb 'yād gereftan' (to learn).
بررسیها نشان میدهد که آب این منطقه دیگر قابل خوردن نیست.
Investigations show that the water in this area is no longer edible (potable).
Formal verb 'neshān midahad' (shows).
استفاده از رنگهای غیرقابل خوردن در صنایع غذایی ممنوع است.
The use of non-edible dyes in the food industry is prohibited.
Using the prefix 'gheyr-e' for 'non-'.
این محصول حاوی موادی است که برای انسان قابل خوردن نیستند.
This product contains substances that are not edible for humans.
Relative clause with 'ke' and plural verb.
در برخی فرهنگها، حشراتی که ما چندشآور میدانیم، کاملاً قابل خوردن هستند.
In some cultures, insects that we consider disgusting are perfectly edible.
Complex sentence with an embedded relative clause.
آیا این نوع پلاستیک در صورت بلعیده شدن، قابل خوردن محسوب میشود؟
Is this type of plastic considered edible if swallowed?
Passive construction 'bal'ide shodan' (being swallowed).
دانشمندان در حال تولید بستهبندیهای قابل خوردن برای کاهش زباله هستند.
Scientists are producing edible packaging to reduce waste.
Continuous tense 'dar hāl-e' + infinitive.
او با دقت قارچهای سمی را از قارچهای قابل خوردن جدا کرد.
He carefully separated the poisonous mushrooms from the edible ones.
Using 'az' (from) for separation.
این میوه تنها پس از پخته شدن قابل خوردن میشود.
This fruit becomes edible only after being cooked.
Using 'pas az' (after) + past participle.
تمایز میان اشیاء تزئینی و اجزای قابل خوردن در هنر قنادی مدرن بسیار ظریف است.
The distinction between decorative objects and edible components in modern pastry art is very subtle.
Formal vocabulary like 'tamāyoz' (distinction).
بسیاری از جلبکهای دریایی نه تنها قابل خوردن هستند، بلکه ارزش غذایی بالایی دارند.
Many seaweeds are not only edible but also have high nutritional value.
Using 'na tanhā... balkeh' for emphasis.
نویسنده از استعارهی 'کتابهای قابل خوردن' برای توصیف دانش استفاده کرده است.
The author used the metaphor of 'edible books' to describe knowledge.
Literary use of the term.
در این پژوهش، میزان جیوه در بافتهای قابل خوردن ماهیها اندازهگیری شد.
In this research, the amount of mercury in the edible tissues of fish was measured.
Passive voice 'andāze-giri shod'.
آیا میتوان ادعا کرد که هر آنچه در طبیعت یافت میشود، لزوماً قابل خوردن نیست؟
Can one claim that whatever is found in nature is not necessarily edible?
Rhetorical question with 'har ānche' (whatever).
او با وسواس زیادی به دنبال مواد اولیهی کاملاً طبیعی و قابل خوردن بود.
He was obsessively looking for completely natural and edible raw materials.
Using 'bā vasvās' (obsessively/with great care).
تکنولوژی چاپ سهبعدی اکنون قادر به تولید ساختارهای پیچیدهی قابل خوردن است.
3D printing technology is now capable of producing complex edible structures.
Technical vocabulary like 'sākhtār-hā-ye pichideh'.
برخلاف تصور عموم، همهی گلهای رز قابل خوردن نیستند.
Contrary to popular belief, not all roses are edible.
Using 'bar khallāf-e' (contrary to).
در متون فقهی، واژهی 'مأکول' غالباً به جای 'قابل خوردن' برای تبیین حلال بودن ذبیحه به کار میرود.
In jurisprudential texts, the word 'ma'kul' is often used instead of 'ghābel-e khordan' to explain the permissibility of slaughtered animals.
Comparison of synonyms in a specialized field.
فلسفهی مصرفگرایی، جهان را به مثابهی ابژهای قابل خوردن و تمامشدنی مینگرد.
The philosophy of consumerism views the world as an edible and finite object.
Highly abstract and metaphorical usage.
استانداردهای بینالمللی برای تعیین حد مجاز آلایندهها در مواد قابل خوردن بسیار سختگیرانه است.
International standards for determining the permissible limit of pollutants in edible materials are very strict.
Complex noun phrases and formal adjectives.
چالش اصلی در سفرهای فضایی طولانیمدت، تولید مداوم منابع قابل خوردن در محیطی بسته است.
The main challenge in long-term space travel is the continuous production of edible resources in a closed environment.
Advanced scientific context.
ویژگیهای ارگانولپتیک یک ماده لزوماً با قابل خوردن بودن آن همبستگی ندارند.
The organoleptic properties of a substance do not necessarily correlate with its edibility.
Using technical terms like 'organoleptic' and 'correlation'.
بررسی اتیمولوژیک نشان میدهد که ترکیب 'قابل خوردن' چگونه جایگزین اصطلاحات سرهی فارسی شده است.
Etymological study shows how the compound 'ghābel-e khordan' has replaced pure Persian terms.
Linguistic analysis context.
سیاستهای دولت در قبال توزیع کالاهای قابل خوردن در مناطق بحرانزده مورد انتقاد قرار گرفت.
The government's policies regarding the distribution of edible goods in crisis-stricken areas were criticized.
Political and administrative vocabulary.
در این سناریو، مرز میان دارو و مادهی قابل خوردن به کلی از میان میرود.
In this scenario, the boundary between medicine and edible matter disappears entirely.
Using 'az miyān raftan' (to disappear/be destroyed).
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
— The most basic way to ask if something is edible.
آیا این میوه عجیب قابل خوردن است؟
— Used when food has spoiled or become too hard/bad to eat.
این برنج مانده و دیگر قابل خوردن نیست.
— Used when expressing an opinion on the safety/quality of food.
این قارچ به نظر قابل خوردن میآید، اما مطمئن نیستم.
— Used to warn someone not to eat a garnish.
این گل پلاستیکی فقط برای تزئین است، نه قابل خوردن.
— Modern eco-friendly packaging that can be eaten.
شرکت ما بستهبندی قابل خوردن تولید میکند.
— Dyes that are safe for consumption.
در این شیرینی از رنگهای قابل خوردن استفاده شده.
— Meat that cannot be eaten (spoiled or forbidden).
گوشت فاسد، غیرقابل خوردن است.
Wird oft verwechselt mit
English speakers use 'good' for both, but Persian distinguishes safety (ghābel-e khordan) from taste (khoshmazeh).
Khorāki is often a noun (food/snack), while ghābel-e khordan is strictly an adjective (edible).
Specifically for drinks/liquids, though 'ghābel-e khordan' can often be used for both.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
— Sometimes used to say a situation is 'bearable' or 'acceptable,' though rare.
شرایط کار فعلاً قابل خوردن است.
Informal— Literally 'like snake venom.' Used for things that are technically edible but taste horribly bitter or bad.
این قهوه مثل زهر مار است، اصلاً قابل خوردن نیست!
Slang— Used to describe a cute baby or child as 'so cute I could eat them.'
این بچه چقدر خوردنی است!
Informal/Affectionate— To 'eat one's words' (retract a statement). Not directly related to edibility but uses 'khordan'.
او مجبور شد حرفش را بخورد.
Neutral— Someone who 'eats' (steals/misappropriates) people's property.
او یک آدم مال مردمخور است.
Informal/NegativeLeicht verwechselbar
Sounds very similar and has the same root.
Khordani is more informal and can mean 'a snack' or 'something to eat'. Ghābel-e khordan is more precise for 'edible/safe'.
کلی خوردنی خریدم. (I bought lots of snacks.) vs این میوه قابل خوردن است. (This fruit is edible.)
Both can mean food is okay to eat.
Sālem means 'healthy' or 'not spoiled'. Ghābel-e khordan means 'biologically possible to eat'.
شیر سالم است. (The milk is fresh.) vs این گیاه قابل خوردن است. (This plant is not toxic.)
Both are positive traits of food.
Mofid means 'useful' or 'beneficial'. Something can be edible but not beneficial (like junk food).
سیب مفید است. (Apples are beneficial.)
In a religious context, both relate to consumption.
Pāk means 'pure' or 'clean'. Ghābel-e khordan is 'edible'.
این آب پاک است. (This water is pure.)
Cooking often makes things edible.
Pokhteh means 'cooked'. Many things are edible raw.
گوشت پخته. (Cooked meat.)
Satzmuster
[Subject] + [ghābel-e khordan] + [ast].
این نان قابل خوردن است.
[Subject] + [ghābel-e khordan] + [nist].
آن سنگ قابل خوردن نیست.
Āyā + [Subject] + [ghābel-e khordan] + [ast]?
آیا این قارچ قابل خوردن است؟
[Subject] + [gheyr-e ghābel-e khordan] + [ast].
این پلاستیک غیرقابل خوردن است.
Be nazar miresad + [Subject] + [ghābel-e khordan] + [bāshad].
به نظر میرسد این پنیر قابل خوردن باشد.
[Noun] + [e] + [ghābel-e khordan].
آبِ قابل خوردن در بیابان کم است.
Na tanhā + [Subject] + [ghābel-e khordan] + [ast], balkeh...
نه تنها قابل خوردن است، بلکه خوشمزه هم هست.
[Abstract Subject] + [be مثابهی] + [obj-e ghābel-e khordan]...
دنیا به مثابهی سیبی قابل خوردن است.
Wortfamilie
Substantive
Verben
Adjektive
Verwandt
So verwendest du es
Very high in culinary, survival, and domestic contexts.
-
Saying 'ghābel khordan' without the Ezafe.
→
قابلِ خوردن (ghābel-e khordan)
The Ezafe (short 'e') is grammatically required to link the two parts of the compound adjective.
-
Using 'ghābel-e khordan' to mean 'delicious'.
→
خوشمزه (khoshmazeh)
'Ghābel-e khordan' only means it is safe to eat, not that it tastes good.
-
Spelling 'ghābel' with 'گ' (Gāf).
→
قابل (with 'ق')
The word comes from Arabic and must use the letter 'ghayn/qāf'.
-
Using 'ghābel-e khordan' for an action (I am eating).
→
من دارم میخورم (Man dāram mikhoram)
'Ghābel-e khordan' is an adjective describing the food, not a verb for the person.
-
Using the plural 'ghābel-e khordan-hā'.
→
قابل خوردن (It doesn't change)
Adjectives in Persian do not take plural endings; only the noun and the verb do.
Tipps
Master the Ezafe
Always remember the short 'e' sound. It's 'ghābel-E khordan'. This small sound makes a huge difference in how native you sound.
Foraging Wisdom
If you go hiking in Iran, ask locals 'Āyā in ghābel-e khordan ast?' before trying any wild berries. It's a great conversation starter and keeps you safe!
The 'Ghābel' Family
Once you learn this word, you can learn others! 'Ghābel-e didan' (visible), 'Ghābel-e shenidan' (audible). The pattern is always 'Ghābel-e' + infinitive.
Safety First
Use this word when you are genuinely concerned about safety or freshness. For taste, use other words like 'laziz' or 'khoshmazeh'.
The 'Gh' Sound
The 'gh' in 'ghābel' is like a gargling sound at the back of the throat. Practice it by saying 'gh' while drinking water!
Spelling Check
Remember that 'ghābel' starts with the letter 'ghayn' (ق), not 'gaf' (گ). Mixing them up changes the word entirely.
Humility in Cooking
If someone asks how your cooking is, you can say 'ghābel-e khordane' as a form of humble joking, implying it's 'okay but not great'.
Water Safety
In many parts of Iran, tap water is 'ghābel-e khordan,' but in some remote areas, it might not be. Always ask 'Āyā āb-e inja ghābel-e khordan ast?'
Social Media
On Instagram, Iranian food bloggers use 'ghordani' or 'ghābel-e khordan' when showing off artistic cakes with edible gold or flowers.
Tehrani Accent
In Tehran, you'll hear 'ghābel-e khordane' where the 'ast' is shortened to just an 'e' sound at the end.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Think of 'Ghābel' as 'Gable' (like a house roof) and 'Khordan' as 'Core-Done'. If the 'Gable' is 'Core-Done', the food is safe to enter the house (your mouth)!
Visuelle Assoziation
Imagine a green checkmark over a mushroom. The checkmark is shaped like the letter 'G' for 'Ghābel'.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Go to your kitchen and label three items that are 'ghābel-e khordan' and one item (like soap) that is 'gheyr-e ghābel-e khordan'.
Wortherkunft
A compound of the Arabic 'ghābel' (قَابِل), meaning receiving or capable, and the Middle Persian 'khordan' (xwardan).
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The original meaning of 'ghābel' in Arabic is 'one who accepts,' while 'khordan' has roots in the Proto-Indo-European *swerd- (to swallow/eat).
Indo-European (Persian) mixed with Semitic (Arabic loanword).Kultureller Kontext
Be careful not to describe a host's food as 'merely edible' (ghābel-e khordan) as it implies it's not tasty.
In English, we have separate words like 'potable' for water and 'edible' for food. In Persian, 'ghābel-e khordan' covers both.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
At a restaurant/bakery
- آیا این تزئینات قابل خوردن هستند؟
- این نان خیلی سفت است، آیا هنوز قابل خوردن است؟
- این رنگها قابل خوردن هستند؟
- غذای شما واقعاً قابل خوردن است! (Careful with sarcasm)
Hiking/Nature
- این توتها قابل خوردن هستند؟
- مراقب باش، این گیاه قابل خوردن نیست.
- ما به دنبال آب قابل خوردن میگردیم.
- کدام قارچها قابل خوردن هستند؟
At home (Kitchen)
- این شیر هنوز قابل خوردن است؟
- پوست این میوه را نکن، قابل خوردن است.
- این غذا دیگر قابل خوردن نیست، باید دور بریزیم.
- آیا این روغن برای پخت و پز قابل خوردن است؟
Supermarket
- روغنهای قابل خوردن کجاست؟
- آیا این محصول حاوی مواد غیرقابل خوردن است؟
- تاریخ انقضا گذشته، پس دیگر قابل خوردن نیست.
- بستهبندی این شکلات قابل خوردن است؟
Science/Health
- آب این رودخانه قابل خوردن نیست.
- بافتهای قابل خوردن ماهی را آزمایش کنید.
- واکسن به صورت مادهای قابل خوردن تولید شد.
- تفاوت مواد سمی و قابل خوردن چیست؟
Gesprächseinstiege
"آیا تا به حال در جنگل گیاه قابل خوردنی پیدا کردهاید؟ (Have you ever found an edible plant in the forest?)"
"به نظر شما عجیبترین چیزی که قابل خوردن است چیست؟ (What do you think is the strangest thing that is edible?)"
"چگونه میتوان تشخیص داد که یک قارچ قابل خوردن است یا سمی؟ (How can one tell if a mushroom is edible or poisonous?)"
"آیا در کشور شما مردم حشرات قابل خوردن مصرف میکنند؟ (Do people in your country consume edible insects?)"
"اگر در بیابان باشید، چگونه دنبال آب قابل خوردن میگردید؟ (If you were in the desert, how would you look for edible/potable water?)"
Tagebuch-Impulse
درباره زمانی بنویسید که غذایی خوردید که به نظر قابل خوردن نمیآمد اما خوشمزه بود. (Write about a time you ate food that didn't look edible but was delicious.)
اهمیت تشخیص مواد قابل خوردن در طبیعت را توضیح دهید. (Explain the importance of identifying edible materials in nature.)
آیا فکر میکنید در آینده بستهبندیهای قابل خوردن جایگزین پلاستیک میشوند؟ (Do you think edible packaging will replace plastic in the future?)
تجربهی خود را از چشیدن یک میوهی جدید که نمیدانستید قابل خوردن است یا نه، بنویسید. (Write about your experience tasting a new fruit you didn't know was edible or not.)
اگر مجبور بودید فقط از گیاهان قابل خوردن در حیاط خود تغذیه کنید، چه میخوردید؟ (If you had to feed yourself only from edible plants in your yard, what would you eat?)
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenWhile primarily used for food and plants, it can describe anything safe for ingestion, like edible dyes or packaging. It technically means 'capable of being eaten.' For example, 'این کاغذ قابل خوردن است' (This paper is edible).
Yes, although 'آشامیدنی' (āshāmidani) is more specific for 'drinkable,' 'آب قابل خوردن' is very common and understood as 'potable water.' In Persian, the verb 'khordan' is often used for drinking in casual contexts.
No. 'Gheyr-e ghābel-e khordan' (inedible) is a broad term. Something might be inedible because it's too hard, spoiled, or disgusting, whereas 'sammi' specifically means it contains poison. All poisonous things are inedible, but not all inedible things are poisonous.
You would say: 'آیا این هنوز قابل خوردن است؟' (Āyā in hanuz ghābel-e khordan ast?). This is the most natural way to ask if food is still safe to eat.
You can use 'خوردنی' (khordani) in informal settings. For example, 'این گل خوردنیه؟' (Is this flower edible?). However, 'قابل خوردن' is more precise and better for learners to use in most situations.
You would see it as 'گلهای قابل خوردن' (Gol-hā-ye ghābel-e khordan) or 'گلهای خوراکی' (Gol-hā-ye khorāki). Both are common in modern Iranian cafes.
Be careful! If you say 'غذای شما قابل خوردن است', it sounds like you are saying 'Your food is barely safe to eat.' To compliment them, use 'خوشمزه' (delicious) or 'عالی' (excellent).
The most common opposite is 'غیرقابل خوردن' (gheyr-e ghābel-e khordan). You can also use 'غیرخوراکی' for non-food items like industrial oils.
Yes, grammatically it is the Ezafe which links the adjective 'ghābel' to the infinitive 'khordan'. In spoken Persian, it is always pronounced as a short 'e' sound.
Yes, if you are discussing if an animal's meat is edible, you can say: 'گوشت این حیوان قابل خوردن است.' (The meat of this animal is edible.)
Teste dich selbst 180 Fragen
Write a sentence asking if a wild berry is edible.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'This bread is very old and not edible.'
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Write a sentence about edible flowers on a cake.
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Translate: 'We are looking for drinking water.'
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Explain the difference between 'khoshmazeh' and 'ghābel-e khordan' in Persian.
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Translate: 'The scientists made edible plastic.'
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Write a warning about poisonous mushrooms.
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Translate: 'Is the skin of the potato edible?'
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Write a short dialogue between two hikers about a plant.
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Translate: 'Inedible things should be recycled.'
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Describe an 'edible garden'.
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Translate: 'This oil is not for eating.'
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Write a sentence using 'be nazar miresad' and 'ghābel-e khordan'.
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Translate: 'Not everything in nature is edible.'
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Write a sentence about edible ink.
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Translate: 'Is this milk still good?'
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Write a formal sentence about water quality.
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Translate: 'The cake decorations were not edible.'
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Write a sentence about edible insects in some cultures.
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Translate: 'I am allergic to some edible seeds.'
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Imagine you are in a forest. Ask your guide if a specific berry is edible.
Read this aloud:
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Tell your friend that the milk in the fridge has spoiled and is no longer edible.
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Ask a baker if the flowers on the cake are edible or just for decoration.
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Explain to a child why they shouldn't eat a plastic toy.
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Discuss the pros and cons of edible packaging.
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Ask if the tap water in a specific city is potable.
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Describe your favorite edible wild plant.
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Warn someone about a mushroom they just picked.
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Ask a waiter if the garnish on your plate is edible.
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Say that you only use edible oils for cooking.
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Ask if the skin of a mango is edible.
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Talk about a time you were hungry and anything seemed edible.
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Ask if a specific medicine is edible (oral).
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Express doubt about the edibility of a strange fruit.
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Tell someone that edible gold is very expensive.
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Ask if the ice in a drink is made from potable water.
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Describe an inedible object that looks like food.
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Discuss if insects will be the future of edible protein.
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Ask how to distinguish edible mushrooms.
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Confirm that everything on the plate is safe to eat.
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Listen to the sentence: 'این آب قابل خوردن نیست.' What is wrong with the water?
Listen: 'فقط گلهای بنفش قابل خوردن هستند.' Which flowers can you eat?
Listen: 'به نظر میرسد این نان هنوز قابل خوردن باشد.' Is the speaker 100% sure the bread is edible?
Listen: 'روغنهای غیرقابل خوردن را دور بریزید.' What should you do with inedible oils?
Listen: 'آیا پوست این میوه قابل خوردن است؟' What is the person asking about?
Listen: 'تمام تزئینات کیک قابل خوردن هستند.' Can you eat the cake decorations?
Listen: 'در این منطقه آب قابل خوردن پیدا نمیشود.' Can you find drinking water there?
Listen: 'قارچهای سمی اصلاً قابل خوردن نیستند.' Are poisonous mushrooms edible?
Listen: 'این رنگها از مواد قابل خوردن تهیه شدهاند.' Are the dyes safe to ingest?
Listen: 'نان خشک هم قابل خوردن است.' Is dry bread edible?
Listen: 'او به دنبال گیاهان قابل خوردن بود.' What was he looking for?
Listen: 'آیا این ماهی قابل خوردن است؟' Is the person asking about a bird?
Listen: 'مواد غیرقابل خوردن را از غذا جدا کنید.' What should be separated from the food?
Listen: 'این جلبکها کاملاً قابل خوردن هستند.' Are the seaweeds edible?
Listen: 'آیا این روغن برای سرخ کردن قابل خوردن است؟' What is the oil for?
Translate: 'The water of this river is not edible because of pollution.'
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Perfect score!
Summary
The phrase 'قابل خوردن' (ghābel-e khordan) is the standard Persian way to say 'edible.' It focuses on safety and biological suitability. For example: 'این گیاه قابل خوردن است' (This plant is edible). Always use the Ezafe 'e' sound to link the two words.
- Used to describe things safe to eat.
- Essential for foraging and checking food freshness.
- Formed by 'ghābel' (capable) + 'khordan' (eating).
- Different from 'khoshmazeh' (tasty); focuses on safety.
Master the Ezafe
Always remember the short 'e' sound. It's 'ghābel-E khordan'. This small sound makes a huge difference in how native you sound.
Foraging Wisdom
If you go hiking in Iran, ask locals 'Āyā in ghābel-e khordan ast?' before trying any wild berries. It's a great conversation starter and keeps you safe!
The 'Ghābel' Family
Once you learn this word, you can learn others! 'Ghābel-e didan' (visible), 'Ghābel-e shenidan' (audible). The pattern is always 'Ghābel-e' + infinitive.
Safety First
Use this word when you are genuinely concerned about safety or freshness. For taste, use other words like 'laziz' or 'khoshmazeh'.
Beispiel
تمام قسمتهای این قارچ قابل خوردن نیستند.
Verwandte Inhalte
Mehr cooking Wörter
عطشان
B2Durstig, schmachtend nach Wasser.
آب دادن
B1Pflanzen gießen oder jemandem Wasser geben.
آب گرفتن
B1Saft aus Obst oder Gemüse pressen.
آب کردن
B1Schmelzen. Etwas durch Hitze von einem festen in einen flüssigen Zustand bringen.
آبدار
B1Saftig, sukkulent. Wird für Obst und gut zubereitetes Fleisch verwendet.
آبگون
B2Wasserartig, klar oder von wasserblauer Farbe.
آبکش کردن
B1Nahrungsmittel mit einem Sieb abtropfen lassen, um überschüssige Flüssigkeit zu entfernen. (To drain food with a sieve to remove excess liquid.)
آبکشیدن
B1To rinse food under running water or drain it.
آبکی
B1Wässrig oder dünn; verwendet für eine Suppe mit zu viel Wasser oder eine lahme Ausrede. 'Diese Suppe ist sehr wässrig (abaki).' / 'Das ist eine lahme Ausrede (abaki).'
آبکی کردن
B1Etwas wässrig machen oder verdünnen.